cpwigan wrote:James Coyle passed too. We sent him to Oldham.
Colbon got off lucky
James Coyle going to Oldham was his own decision, he got a new job so couldn't keep playing rugby league full time so went to Oldham to play part time.
I don't think the army training did any of those player any good really, they did a lot of stamina work which is great if you want to be in the army and run across country with a big bag on your bag but I've never seen any player run cross-country to score a try. Mystery of Colbons missing pace solved.
Obviously never served with Her Majesty's finest, Mr Dave?
It isn't just all about the strength and stamina work, it teaches you about your own limits and how to push your boundaries. You learn discipline which is important on the pitch, you learn about how you can get that little bit extra out of your body when it's telling you to stop, but most importantly it teaches you about team work, camerarderie and how working as a unit is important if you want to succeed on the pitch or defeat someone in battle.
I'll agree with you that the actual physical side of what they did probably wouldn't have helped them play the game of Rugby League but it certainly won't have done them any harm. It didn't with me, although I never played at any level higher than local amateur and regimental level in the Army.
ancientnloyal wrote:Look where Wigan got Billy B from... Catterick, Royal Signals I do believe...
not saying Colbon is the next Boston or anything.
Billy Boston, Kris Akabusi, Kelly Holmes etc etc, if a soldier shows any sort of aptitude at any sport, I can't think of any better job in the world. I used to train for rugby on Monday and thursday afternoons, matches on a wednesday and practice for golf on a tuesday and sometimes have a match on a friday. Brilliant.
Sutty wrote:Obviously never served with Her Majesty's finest, Mr Dave?
Nope I haven't, and I understand there is more to the army training just the stamina training and that there are probably things that have benefited the players but if you compare the army training to the training of the professional rugby player they would probably be very different.
A changes in training can have a big effect on professional athletes. It would be like training for an endurance event and then entering a sprint competition.
I can see what you mean and in part, I agree with you. However, as this was only a 3 month course, it wouldn't have been a prolonged alternative exercise which could have had an affect the players ability. Which it would have possibly done had they trained with the Para's for an extended period.
IMO it was a good idea at the time and I think the arem possibly used it as a bit of a recruitment oportunity. When the programmes were aired a couple of years ago, just think how many lads in their late teens or early 20's would have seen that video and seen the players shooting at targets at about 300m, doing physical endurance exercises and gaining the priviledge to don the maroon beret. If the army could get even a handful of soldiers off the back of that programme they will have seen it as a success.
Rugby league is a funny sort of fitness - perhaps a bit like squash with short periods and changes in direction. The essence of it is explosive anaerobic fitness, loads of short fast bursts, but you do it for so long it becomes aerobic. I'm not sure I agree that stamina training isn't going to be a benefit. Send Feka to the Paras and see what they do with him..... :eh:
Colborn is a very solid squad player. I rated him 3 years since when he scored a length of the field try at Hull. I'm not ready to give up on him yet.
weststand-rich wrote:
Colborn is a very solid squad player. I rated him 3 years since when he scored a length of the field try at Hull. I'm not ready to give up on him yet.
Colbon? I recall ashton but not liam. . .
Is there a youtube of that? (not doubting you for one minute - just colbon lol).
gpartin wrote:Was it Colbon who played at Leeds a few years ago cos Carney (and most of the rest of the squad) was injured, and then went off injured?
Not sure. But i'm sure it was him who didn't score in the corner this year (when he should of backed himself). . . Phelps would of backed himself and scored!
I am led to believe Coyle completing the army training impressed his then future employees. So for him it was worth it. Having secured a decent job he went P/T with Oldham. The got sent to Oldham was a jk Dave.
Why did Wigan send them? MONEY I do not know how it worked but the players who were all reserves etc were permitted under the cap or whatever to earn money by completing the training. I think Brian Foley has an 'forces' background.
The training must be very difficult. Tom Brindle a prop. Large but fit was unable to complete it. Apparently his physique was not suited to the training.
